Yes, this is yet another story. BUT, it is only going to be nine or ten chapters. Just to warn you, there will be lots of sorrow and anguish in this story. So, the characters from OTS will be included in this story, and a few new characters. Please, enjoy and read the summary:

Summary: Pain. It isn't what you make of it, and yet, it still exists. There are small, numerous amounts of creatures who can give you such grievance. But what if you were different, from those small, numerous creatures? What if you were gifted with abilities not seen in reality? Sometimes, you must read the entire story in order to understand. Even if it is filled with sorrow and pain, it also filled with joy. Joy, that would one day turn into love and passion. This is my story, and it is not like others...

P.S. I recommend you listen to Hand of Sorrow by Within Temptation while reading this; it fits in perfectly.

Allegiances

Cats Outside Clans

Ice - large pure white tom; leader of the Band

Hazel - brown-and-white she-cat, former queen

Storm - dark gray tabby tom with yellow eyes, second in command

Elf - beautiful dappled she-cat with a reddish pelt, dark blue eyes

Sliver - dark gray she-kit with silver eyes

Stream - silver tabby she-cat


Chapter One

Pain

A full moon hung low in the night sky. The stars gleamed dimly, barely shedding enough light for the cats who waited eagerly. They were all sitting close together in a clearing. The clearing itself was surrounded by a thin veil of trees. The bark on the trees had been stripped bare, and these trees grew straight and tall.

It was getting cold out, and frost began to gather around the ground.

A pure white cat stood apart from the group. His gaze was an icy green, and he was the leader of these cats. He was searching for one stranger in particular; although she had become a friend amongst the rogues.

"She's coming!" some cat called from the group.

All cats whirled around, eyes widening in excitement.

Suddenly, a dappled pelt seemed to melt from the shadows. A beautiful cat had stepped into the clearing. She was small, but had a powerful build and bold dark blue eyes. Her coat was tinged with red, and the tip of her tail was marked crimson. She looked more like a fox then anything.

"Elf, it is good to see you," meowed the pure white cat. His voice was as smooth as the river. She didn't buy his tone for a moment.

Her gaze locked with his, and he shrank back a little. Her dark blue eyes had a menacing appeal to them, and all the rogues feared angering her.

She had a gift that was most unusual, although some would claim it a curse as well. She was a healer and a friend amongst these rogues. They looked up to her for advice, and even for company.

"We were hoping you would come, before we leave," the white cat added. A dark threat underlined his tone, and Elf didn't miss it.

The white cat exchanged a glance with a dark gray rogue, whose pelt was littered with battle scars.

"I have an important announcement as well," she mewed. Her voice was as soft as wind chimes. As she spoke, a breeze ruffled her pelt. The trees were whispering warnings to her, but she chose to ignore them.

"Good, then you may speak first," the white cat replied.

He dipped his head respectfully and allowed her to speak in front of the crowd. Elf stepped forward and met every cat's gaze.

"I am well aware that you migrate to the south every Cold Season," she began. She sensed the crowd shift nervously. "And I am also aware that you want to me to travel with you."

Murmurs of approval followed her words, and the white cat's eyes gleamed.

"However, my home is here," she explained. "I will not join you."

Gasps of shock exploded from the crowd. And then several cats leaped to their paws and started caterwauling.

"What about your promise?"

"You said you would take care of our kits!" This came from a brown-and-white queen.

Elf allowed them to silence. When they realized she was waiting for them to finish, they reluctantly fell into muted hisses.

"I only promised to take care of you until you leave," she reminded them. "That time has now passed."

Suddenly the forest around Elf seemed to grow smaller. The white tom stood and padded by her side. A menacing look had brightened his eyes, and she felt a strange sense of foreboding enter her.

"You see what is happening?" he yowled. "She is abandoning us in our greatest need!"

Yowls of agreement followed his words. He then turned to Elf, who was now trembling with rage. He didn't flinch from her stare.

"I know what you are capable of," he added. "But are you strong enough to face my group of Elites?"

As if his words had been a cue, four large cats surrounded Elf. They were all covered in battle scars, and fresh ones now stained their pelts. Elf had never spoken to these cats, for she had known the darkness that clouded their hearts. But now here she was, facing up to them.

The rogues were much more powerful, but Elf was swift. She seemed to dance as they lunged forward, swiping their claws in the air as they barely missed her by a whisker length. They knew they would not win if this kept up.

They had a tactic of their own, that proved most useful when capturing a prisoner. Suddenly one of the rogues lifted a paw and pinned Elf to the ground.

She yowled in shock as another gripped her by the scruff. His teeth had pierced her skin, and her blood now stained them crimson.

Pain erupted from her spine as the rogue shook her furiously. He than threw her across the clearing, and she landed heavily in the center of the crowd.

They were all watching with wide, anxious eyes. They knew that if she won, they would suffer the consequences.

Elf laid on the ground, winded. The attack had knocked the breath out of her, and she was in too much shock to fight back as the third rogue dragged her back the white cat.

He grinned maliciously as she was thrown in front of him.

"Well, Elf?" he snarled venomously. "Have you changed your mind, or do you need a repeat of what just happened?"

She hung her head low, though she was glaring at the ground. She could not longer fight. She wouldn't fight.

"Very well," she replied bitterly. A sudden flash had crossed her eyes. The white cat did not miss it, but it was too late. "But remember, that from this day on, you will no longer have kits. The queens in your Band, will always have stillborn kits."

As she spoke, the wind grew stronger. The white cat let out a cry of horror, as did the brown-and-white queen. Her words hung in the air eerily. A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, as clouds began to gather around the moon, blocking out its silvery white light.

Elf suddenly looked much more dangerous. The leader of the group desperately tried to stop her, but it was too late.

Her words had been spoken. A curse had begun.


Well, this was a long first chapter. Oh yeah, there's no prologue in this story, since there are only nine to ten chapters. Anyways, please review; they give me the inspiration to update faster :D